The principal sponsor of Nigeria’s landmark Climate Change Act, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s direct leadership at the ongoing 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), describing the President’s engagement as a decisive boost for the nation’s green economy agenda.
Onuigbo, who is currently part of the Nigerian presidential delegation at the global forum, made the remarks on the sidelines of high-level sessions, highlighting the strategic importance of having the President personally champion Nigeria’s climate and investment proposition on the world stage.
“President Tinubu’s physical presence and address here in Abu Dhabi send an unequivocal signal to global investors and partners,” stated Onuigbo, who also represents the South-East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
“It demonstrates that climate action and sustainable investment are top-tier priorities for Nigeria’s administration. This leadership is translating our national policies into international credibility and opportunity.”
The former lawmaker pointed specifically to President Tinubu’s announcement that Nigeria will co-host the high-profile investment platform, Investopia, with the United Arab Emirates in Lagos this February. Onuigbo labelled the move a “masterstroke” directly stemming from the engagement at ADSW.
“The President has not just attended; he has actively negotiated and secured tangible outcomes. Extending an open invitation for partnership and announcing the Investopia co-hosting are actions that move us from dialogue to deal-making. This is how you attract the capital needed for solar projects, climate-smart agriculture, and green infrastructure back home,” he explained.
Onuigbo, widely regarded as the architect of Nigeria’s legal framework for climate action, stressed that having the delegation led by the President elevates Nigeria’s entire posture at the event. He noted that it empowers Nigerian ministers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs also present at ADSW to engage with greater authority and pursue concrete collaborations.
“When the vision is articulated at the very top, it aligns and energizes the entire delegation’s mission. Our discussions on clean technology transfer, climate finance, and resilience building are taken more seriously because our commitment is personified by the President’s presence,” Onuigbo added.
He concluded by stating that Nigeria’s active, high-level participation, as demonstrated by the presidential delegation, is a critical step in aligning the nation with global sustainability solutions while directly tackling domestic challenges of energy access, unemployment, and economic diversification.
“This is strategic diplomacy in action. It reaffirms that Nigeria is not just a participant in the global climate conversation, but a serious leader seeking mutually beneficial partnerships for a just and inclusive transition,” Onuigbo said.
The Nigerian delegation, led by President Tinubu, is expected to participate in a series of high-level panels, investment roundtables, and bilateral meetings throughout the week, focusing on mobilizing finance and technology for Nigeria’s energy transition and sustainable development goals.
Spear News reports that President Bola Tinubu has approved the implementation and operationalization of Nigeria’s carbon market framework, a landmark policy expected to generate at least $3 billion annually by 2030.
This framework positions Nigeria at the forefront of carbon trading, opening the door to large-scale emission allowance transactions across multiple sectors. Key components include the launch of a national carbon registry, mandatory emissions reporting for companies, and phased compliance mechanisms aligned with Nigeria’s climate plan, which commits to emissions cuts by 2035 and net zero by 2060.
Additional incentives consist of tax exemptions on carbon credit revenue for up to a decade, accelerated capital allowances for low-carbon assets, and R&D deductions tied to emissions-reduction projects. Collectively, these measures aim to eliminate structural risks that have previously constrained investment in carbon markets.
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